The final stage of the Flat racecourse re-measurement project will be completed tomorrow as the full data pack will be released via The Racing Calendar and on the website of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) here.
The project, which was initiated following feedback from the Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) and has been co-ordinated by the BHA and Racecourse Association (RCA), aims to ensure greater accuracy of information for the racing industry and betting public.
Following an initial announcement on 30 March, tomorrow’s data release will list any changes to advertised distances or moved starts for Flat-only racecourses, Flat tracks at Dual Purpose courses and All-Weather Tracks following re-measurement by independent surveyors. These will be in effect from 8 May onwards in line with tomorrow’s Racing Calendar.
Courses who have re-measured within the last three years have been granted dispensation not to re-measure, whilst any distances outside of the rules of racing have been given dispensation by the BHA Executive.
Brant Dunshea, Director of Integrity and Regulatory Operations at the British Horseracing Authority, said: “We remain committed to meeting industry and public expectations to provide accurate racing data.
“The re-measurement of Flat racecourses is an important step as we continue to improve in this area and build the confidence of those who follow British racing in the data that is available.”
Holly Cook, Racecourse Services Manager at the Racecourse Association, said: “Racecourses fully understand the importance of communicating accurate information and the re-measurement of Flat courses is an excellent step forward in the sport’s ambition to deliver greater accuracy of information.
“We are very pleased that racecourses have completed this work at the start of the 2017 Flat Turf season and are confident that it will benefit participants, racegoers and the betting public.”
Notes to editors:
1. Of the 262 measurements taken, 88% were found to have differences of no more than 20 yards following re-measurement.
2. The re-measurement of Ffos Las racecourse’s Flat track will be completed in advance 17 July 2017 which is when they host Flat racing for the first time in 2017.
3. The Racecourse Association, formed in 1907, is the trade association for British racecourses. The RCA serves the interests of its 59 British racecourse members both inside and outside the sport, empowering them to be the best venues that they can be.The RCA works on behalf of racecourses to represent their views within the sport through the tripartite structure of the Members’ Agreement alongside BHA and The Horsemen’s Group.
Outside of horseracing, we work alongside the Government, other sports and leisure venues, and national charities to meet the needs of racecourses.
Additionally, the RCA encourages and facilitates racecourse community engagement, involvement in horse welfare initiatives, responsible drinking campaigns, and various other partnerships within the sport. For more information please contact Will Aitkenhead on 01344 873536.
4. The Horseracing Bettors Forum was created in August, 2015, with the assistance of the BHA to represent the perceived interests of those who bet upon, or who might bet upon, British horseracing.
The HBF seeks to ensure that those interests are understood and taken into account in the relevant decision-making processes, for the good of both bettors and the sport of horseracing in Britain.
The HBF consists of nine members – all voluntary and unpaid – who convene roughly once every three months to discuss issues that they feel are relevant to British horseracing punters. The HBF has no mandatory powers, but, where appropriate, it will seek to influence policy in accordance with its stated objectives.
For more information please contact [email protected] or @HbfBritain on Twitter.
